NEWS
Montgomery County Office of Communications
Court House, Norristown, PA, Box 311, 19404-0311
Phone : 610-278-3061 Fax : 278-5959
Commissioners : James R. Matthews Chairman, Thomas Jay Ellis, Esq., Ruth S. Damsker
RELEASE: 09/06/05 PR#05-29
NORRISTOWN — The Montgomery County Parks Department will conduct a fifth controlled hunt for whitetail deer in Lorimer Park, Abington, in an effort to control and maintain the herd.
The hunt at Lorimer Park was first undertaken in 2001 at the request of Abington Township officials and residents who live near the park because of the high number of deer/vehicle accidents, destruction of landscaping and concerns over Lyme Disease. There was also heavy damage to vegetation inside the park because of the deer overpopulation.
Last year’s hunt resulted in a harvest of 19 deer. As a result of these hunts, and removals done by the Fairmount Park Commission in neighboring Pennypack Park, vegetation is starting to rebound. Local deer/vehicle accidents have stabilized since the hunt began. The number of accidents dropped from 28 in 2001 to 17 in 2002 and 18 in 2004.
Counts done in early April before the leaves came out found an average of 33 deer in the park. That is compared to an average of 37 deer at the same time last year and 43 in 2002. These counts are somewhat low because they are done before the fawns are born each year. Before hunting began three years ago there were typically 80 or more deer in the park.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission standards state that a healthy population is about 10 deer per square mile. Lorimer Park is about half of a square mile and should sustain a herd of 5-7 deer.
The hunt will take place on Monday, October 31, 2005 and will be performed using conventional archery equipment or crossbows. Lorimer Park will be closed to all other visitor activities on this date.
Buck and/or antlerless deer may be harvested, however, all participants must possess an antlerless deer tag for Wildlife Management Unit 5D.
Hunters interested in participating should mail or drop-off a 3"x 5" card with their name, address, telephone number, PA hunting license number and WMU Area 5D antlerless tag number, along with a self-addressed stamped business size envelope to: Lorimer Park, 183 Moredon Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006.
A lottery will be used to pick 50 qualified hunters. Applications must be received by park closing time on Sunday, October 2, 2005. Only one permit will be issued per person. Only those chosen will be permitted on the park grounds that day. All hunting activity will be under the direct supervision of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
For additional information, please call the Lorimer Park office, 215-947-3477, Monday through Friday, 8am till 4pm.
